Bill Van Nierop might have been the one who had walked nearly 700km when he reached Forbes on Friday afternoon, but he set a cracking pace as he led a group of supporters over Bates Bridge and down Lachlan Street.
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For just over two weeks he’d powered along quiet roads and busy highways, with one goal: raise awareness of lung disease and funds for Lung Foundation Australia.
Mr Van Nierop was diagnosed two years ago with an incurable lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – a chronic disease that will gradually reduce his lung capacity.
Only 20 per cent of people with the condition - about 1500 a year are diagnosed in Australia – survive five years.
Mr Van Nierop is passionate about getting funding and research for lung diseases and reducing the stigma around them so people can be diagnosed and treated earlier.
By Sunday night, his efforts had raised an astounding $100,000.
Mr Van Nierop was joined by his wife Lesley and children Ben and Stephanie for the last 105km of his walk … his grandchildren met him in Forbes waving “you did it Poppy Bill!” signs.
Mr Van Nierop walked about 80km a week in training for the Long Walk for Lungs – but nothing could have prepared him for what it was like to keep going for 40km a day, day after day.
He had two days into 45km/hr headwinds, but the worst was a hilly stretch of the Newell with the trucks barreling past.
“It becomes a mental battle,” he said.
He put his headphones in and walked for 20 songs at a time, then pulled over for a 10-minute break.
The Lung Foundation’s Mary Bishop said Mr Van Nierop was the largest individual fundraiser the organisation had benefited from.
“This is life changing for people,” she said.
Bill crossed the finish line on his 15-day walk at Walker AGnVET on Friday afternoon and was guest of honour at a gala dinner on Friday evening.
He said special thanks must go to the AGnVET team who had provided two support vehicles and drivers.
“I’d rather walk than drive along at 6km an hour,” he joked.
For information go online to lungfoundationaustralia.com.au or longwalkforlungs.com.au
